How to set up TP-Link OneMesh Wi-Fi 6 routers and range extenders

TP-Link OneMesh is an innovative feature that allows TP-Link range extenders and wireless routers to work together to form one unified Wi-Fi network, similar to a mesh Wi-Fi system. While range extenders and wireless routers could do this in the past, OneMesh is a unique integration for TP-Link devices that allows users to set up a unified network faster than ever, with fewer steps involved. If you have a TP-Link Wi-Fi 6 router and a range extender, here’s how to set them up using OneMesh:

Contents

1. What to do before you set up OneMesh on a TP-Link Wi-Fi 6 router and range extender
2. Connect your TP-Link OneMesh Wi-Fi 6 range extender to the router using WPS
3. How to set up your TP-Link OneMesh range extender from a web browser
4. How do I connect to my TP-Link range extender from the Tether app?
5. Did you successfully create your TP-Link OneMesh network?

What to do before you set up OneMesh on a TP-Link Wi-Fi 6 router and range extender

While TP-Link range extenders work with any wireless router from any manufacturer, the OneMesh feature is an optimization that is designed to integrate TP-Link range extenders with TP-Link wireless routers. We’re using a Wi-Fi 6 range extender for this tutorial - the TP-Link RE500X - and we’re pairing it with a TP-Link Archer AX10 Wi-Fi 6 router.

TP-Link RE500X - A range extender with Wi-Fi 6

Before setting up your TP-Link OneMesh range-extender, you must have a TP-Link router that’s managing your network. To help you out, here’s our guide on 2 ways to set up your TP-Link Wi-Fi 6 router.

Initially, it's best to place the range extender somewhere close to the router so the two can easily “see each other” and finalize the installation without issues. Then, you can change the location of the range extender to cover the area where your Wi-Fi is weak or dead.

If you want to manage both your TP-Link Wi-Fi 6 range extender and wireless router from anywhere on the internet, read How to create and add a TP-Link ID to your TP-Link Wi-Fi 6 router.

Connect your TP-Link OneMesh Wi-Fi 6 range extender to the router using WPS

We believe this method is the fastest and easiest for everyone, and TP-Link should promote it more. It takes just a minute, and it involves pressing only two buttons:

First, make sure your TP-Link Wi-Fi 6 router is turned on. Then, plug in the TP-Link OneMesh range extender somewhere close to the router. Wait for the range extender to start, until the Power LED is on. On the back of the TP-Link Wi-Fi 6 router, press the WPS button. Then, immediately go to the range extender and press the WPS button on it as well.

Setting up TP-Link OneMesh through WPS is the fastest

Wait for a minute, and you will see the Wi-Fi signal LEDs on the range extender becoming solid. When that happens, the TP-Link OneMesh range extender is set up. It has automatically cloned all its settings from your TP-Link Wi-Fi 6 router. This is the beauty of the OneMesh concept, and everyone appreciates such a quick setup.

How to set up your TP-Link OneMesh range extender from a web browser

On a laptop or tablet, connect to the Wi-Fi emitted by the TP-Link OneMesh range extender. The Wi-Fi is named TP-Link_Extender, like in the screenshot below, and it has no password.

Connect to TP-Link_Extender

Open your favorite browser, and navigate to tplinkrepeater.net or 192.168.0.254. The range extender’s setup wizard loads, and it first asks you to set a password for administering the device. Type it, confirm it, and press Start.

Create an admin password for the range extender

The TP-Link OneMesh range extender searches for the Wi-Fi emitted by your TP-Link Wi-Fi 6 router, and it first lists what it finds on the 2.4 GHz band. Next, click or tap the name of your wireless network, enter its password, and press Next.

The TP-Link range extender looks for 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks

Then, do the same for the 5 GHz band.

The TP-Link range extender looks for 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks

The TP-Link range extender asks you to confirm your settings, and it applies them in about a minute.

Confirm your settings

When it is all done, you are informed that the mesh network was created. Press Finish, and you see a summary of your settings, like in the screenshot below.

Your TP-Link OneMesh network is created

Close your web browser, and start using the OneMesh network managed by your TP-Link Wi-Fi 6 router and range extender.

How do I connect to my TP-Link range extender from the Tether app?

Open the Tether app on your Android smartphone or iPhone. Then, on the home screen where you see your TP-Link devices, tap the + button in the top right corner.

Tap + to add your range extender

You are asked to choose what type of TP-Link device you want to set up. Choose Range Extender.

Choose Range Extender

Plug the TP-Link range extender into a power outlet, and wait for about a minute until its power LED is on. After that happens, in the Tether app, press the “Power LED is solid on” button.

Wait for the Power LED to be solid, and confirm when it is

The Tether app may ask you to grant it Location Permission. Grant it, and then, the app is searching for the range extender. When it finds it, it asks you to allow it to connect to the Wi-Fi network emitted by the range extender. This is a mandatory step, so press Connect.

Connect to the TP-Link range extender

The Tether app should automatically connect to the Wi-Fi emitted by the ranger extender. If it doesn’t do that, manually connect your smartphone to its Wi-Fi. See some useful examples of how the Wi-Fi is going to be named. After the connection is made, tap “I’m connected.”

Confirm that you are connected to the range extender's Wi-Fi

You are asked to create a local password for managing the TP-Link range extender. After you enter and confirm the password, tap Create.

Create a password for the TP-Link range extender

The Tether app scans for the 2.4 GHz wireless network emitted by the TP-Link router you want to extend. Choose it from the list. It should have OneMesh as a label, like in the screenshot below.

Choose the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi emitted by the TP-Link router

You are asked to enter the password for the 2.4 GHz network. Type it, and press Next.

Enter the Wi-Fi password

Now the Tether app scans for the 5 GHz wireless network emitted by the TP-Link router. Choose it from the list. It should have OneMesh labeled beneath its name. If you are asked to enter the password, type it, and press Next twice.

Choose the 5 GHz Wi-Fi emitted by the TP-Link router

You are shown the names of the two wireless networks that you chose and their passwords. If you are OK with what you see, tap Apply. Otherwise, go back and change things.

Verify the passwords for the router's Wi-Fi

The Tether app is applying your settings, and this process takes a while.

The Tether app applies your settings to the range extender

After your TP-Link OneMesh range extender is set up, the Tether app recommends you plug the range extender halfway between your router and the area where the Wi-Fi is dead. Do that, and then wait for about two minutes until the signal LED on the TP-Link range extender matches the picture you see in the app. Then, tap “Location Looks Good.”

Confirm the location of the TP-Link range extender

You are informed that you have successfully set up the TP-Link OneMesh range extender, and you are shown the network names and passwords for both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Tap “Connect to Network.”

You are ready to connect to the TP-Link OneMesh network

Now you can view the TP-Link OneMesh range extender, how many clients are connected to it, and manage it from the Tether app.

Manage the TP-Link range extender from the Tether app

Did you successfully create your TP-Link OneMesh network?

The procedures that we described work for all TP-Link routers and range extenders with OneMesh support. For a complete list of devices, visit this page: TP-Link OneMesh Devices. Before closing this guide, tell us if everything worked well for you and if you have any questions. Don’t be shy and use the commenting options below.